For Sentimental Reasons

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

I had some very relaxing time with my kids this afternoon. We tried hide and go seek, but there aren't too many places to hide in a field, but the coolest part was when the kids found the cutest little frog. At one point he was named, but I can't remember what it was now, I'm sure hoppy or greeny or something froggish. It was Josie's first frog experience and her big brother taught her pretty quickly how to be gentle. It was so cute.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

So after being inspired by last night's dinner at Masa in Tacoma with my lady friends, I needed Mexican food again tonight. My absolute favorite thing to make is salsa (and cupcakes), it's easy like Sunday morning. The recipe is from my parents with slight modifications to fit my needs. So it's my opinion that if you are going to eat salsa then you need to make it. Store bought is typically nasty, watery and full of preservatives, I'm just saying. This recipe is very special to me (not sure why) so if you make this for someone else you need to tell them this is Yvonne's salsa, ha ha! I'm half joking ;)

Depending on how much you want to make you will obviously modify, I recommend starting with less and add to taste.

I prefer Roma tomatoes, 6-7 of them.1 whole bunch of cilantro (a smaller sized bunch)1 half white onion (it's worth the tears)1/2 - 1 whole jalapeno (remove the seeds and core if you are a chicken)1/2 lime (add as much pulp as you can)1/2 cup of white vinegar to start, I probably ended up with 1 cup total, we like the juice it makes at the bottom of the bowl. (insert slurping sound here)Salt & pepa to taste

Wash em, chop em & get eating.

Yes, I have a pink knife, that's how I roll!

Feeling so inspired that the salsa came out perfect and didn't need anything added to it, I decided to make each of us a dang quesa-dilluh. I didn't want to pull out the grill and luckily I remembered how one of my favorite people, Shawn used to make us fried tortillas and margaritas while we "worked" in the garage. So frying it was and it was awesome.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

We had a great day checking out some things we've wanted to visit for a while now. We started with lunch at the Black Diamond Bakery. Homemade it is and yes it was yummy. I had the Gobbler, their version of a turkey & cranberry sandwich, which I'll point out was as big as my head. It is the only thing I will eat with sprouts, just in case you were wondering. :)

After lunch we checked out the giant table and chairs.

Then the antique store next door, that I just feel in love with. Next time I will visit without the short one (Josie), she is just too busy to relax in there and I wasn't up for purchasing anything that she might have broken so our visit was short, but definitely something to come back too. I thought of at least 5 friends that I could shop for in there, are you one of them? LOL!

Up next we were going to head to Mud Mt. Dam, but decided last minute to go to Flaming Geyser State Park instead.

Saw some wild turkeys on the way in.

It was gorgeous and very quiet. Again and again we kept saying how empty the park was because of the shifty weather, more room for us though I suppose. We went straight for the geyser and were saddened to hear that within the last week the geyser has been flooded with water and the park rangers aren't quite sure why. It was more of a gurgle gurgle then a geyser.
So we headed for the trails and went on a very steep hike. Why do I insist on wearing flip flops everywhere I go? One day I will learn.

I just kept stopping and looking around at how green the woods were. We stopped at the bubbling geyser which was doing just about the same thing as the flaming geyser... nothing! We crossed a couple creeks and got are feet wet and did some more exploring.

While heading home we decided to show daddy one of our favorite new parks, Les Gove in Auburn. By this time the batteries in the camera had died so we only got two photos, but we love this park and it's funky play equipment. The highlight of the day was definitely getting outside in the crisp clean air.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Josie went to make a sandwich this evening. "Okay", I say (as I scratch my head in confusion, not knowing if this was a good or bad idea). So instead of telling her "No, I'll do it", like I normally would, I let her give it a shot. I must say besides the peanut butter on the bread bag she did a really good job. She was really proud of herself too.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

So to the tune of "Breakin' the Law", I'm singing to myself breakin' the wall, breakin' the wall. My last two hot yoga classes were very hard for me and extremely emotional. I don't mind being emotional especially when it is something that I am passionate about, but it was very hard for me to understand that it was okay to have a "harder class" or to sit a pose or two out, sometimes more. I was beyond dizzy my last class, I spent a lot of time with my hands on my knees and my head right between those knees. I got very familiar with my toes (I so need a pedicure). Even though my body was able, my head was spinning everytime I stood up. I felt like I wasted a class. The instructor assured me afterward that I hadn't wasted a class and that just being in the sauna and doing what I could was great. She also said it has a lot to do with your water intake which even though I try, it's hard for me to remember to keep drinking all day. I'm getting better though.

Anyways, tonight was amazing, I did all the poses with very minor breaks. I stayed focused on myself and I have completely stopped comparing myself to others in the class, if I do drift off and take a peek at the others it's really quick and I'm more impressed with them then angry or jealous, lol. Everyone has to start somewhere and no one in the class is perfect, flexible beyond all means, yes, but not perfect. I've gained so much self respect in the last couple of weeks and I just feel overall healthier and happier. My family is going through a lot right now, but I feel like I can be there for them a little better now and with a healthier perspective. Oh and I'm down 5lbs and that's not too shabby, WOO HOO!!!

Friday, July 30, 2010

How on earth have I not blogged about my skin? I've been using Gaia Skin Care Products for a couple of weeks now and I'm in heaven. I seriously cannot contain myself about how good my skin feels. I think its been 10 years since it has felt like this. Everything is organic and comes from the Northwest (typically WA or OR) and the best part if you didn't catch it when I said "organic" is NO CHEMICALS!!! Between Hog Yoga and good skin, I just don't know what to do with myself. Anyone sick of me talking about myself yet? Eh, that's what blogs are for I suppose! :)